Difference Between Marxism and Socialism

Marxism vs Socialism

Difference between Marxism and Socialism may be a bit difficult to understand to some. However, remember, that Marxism and Socialism are two systems. So, one can say that Marxism and Socialism are two kinds of systems that are to be understood as different when it comes to their concepts and ideologies. Marxism is more theoretical in nature whereas Socialism is more practical in nature. This is one of the main differences between Marxism and Socialism. Marxism has paved way for different ideologies such as Leninism and Maoism. Marxism speaks how a proletariat revolution can change the social structure. Socialism speaks of an economy that is fair to all.

What is Marxism?

Marxism is political in its concepts, though all these concepts are based on the way an economy in a state acts. Marxism aims at bringing about a kind of equanimity between the rich and the poor by implementing the ideologies based on history. Building equality between rich and poor is essential in a society where Marxism can take place because the bourgeoisie exploits the workers. It is indeed true that history forms the basis of Marxism put forward by Karl Marx. If his principles or ideas are carried out in a practical way, then Marxism leads to Communism. On the other hand, Marxism has its ideology based on the thought about the uplift of the poor and the granting of a status to them on par with the rich.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

What is Socialism?

Socialism is economic in its ideologies. In other words, it can be said that Socialism is an economic system wherein all the means of production are owned by the public. Socialism aims at the co-operative system of control over the means of production. Moreover, Socialism is based heavily on cooperative social relations and self-management. It aims at the elimination of hierarchy in the management of political affairs. Hence, it can be said that Socialism too is a kind of political thought though its ideas are based more on the economic issues of the development of society. Socialism aims at the achievement of the state of production for use. Its ideas see to it that the allocation inputs are carried out in the right manner to satisfy human needs. This is the crux of socialism. Socialism is a mixture of reformation and revolution in equal proportions.

Charles Fourier, influential early French socialist thinker

What is the difference between Marxism and Socialism?

• Marxism is more theoretical in nature whereas Socialism is more practical in nature. This is one of the main differences between Marxism and Socialism.

• Another difference between Marxism and Socialism is that Marxism is political in its concepts whereas Socialism is economic in its ideologies.

• Socialism speaks about the public ownership of the property and natural resources. Marxism speaks about creating a society where there is no discrimination between rich and poor.

• Marxism speaks about changing the society through a proletariat revolution. Socialism speaks about changing the society by changing the economic structure of the country.

• Marxism proletariat revolution becomes possible because there is an imbalance between social classes. This is created as the bourgeoisie manipulates the working class as the bourgeoisie own capital, land, and entrepreneurship. However, in Socialism, such class discrimination is not possible as the means of production are owned by the public. So, there is no need for a proletariat revolution to happen in a society with socialism.

• In a society where Marxism theory of working class rising against the bourgeoisie happens, there is a largely competitive market. In Socialism, market competitiveness does not exist as the society is made for collaboration, not for competition.

• Marxism is pure revolution. Socialism has equal proportions of revolution as well as reformations.